'I'd like to apologise': Kiwi pundit on underestimating the Springboks

When the Springboks announced their split squad for the opening games of The Rugby Championship, there was no shortage of fans and pundits – not speaking in a South African accent – who thought they may be in for a tough night against the Wallabies.

The panel on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod were no exception, anticipating an Eddie Jones rejuvenation to kickstart a wild World Cup year for the Australians. A win was never promised, but a tight match was predicted.

The result however was a tough night for the visitors, falling to a 43-12 loss at the hands of a ruthless and physical Springbok side.

“I probably actually want to apologise to our South African viewers,” Former Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall said with a ry smile. “For me personally, I didn’t think they were going to be that dominant.

“The variety of the way they scored is something that I enjoyed. We know that they are going to be able to go to set-piece dominance, they got a lineout maul try which is going to be their stock-standard play. They did the front peel which is something that’s obviously a bit of variety.

“And I think even (Kurt-Lee) Arendse’s third try, they just folded around the corner, quick ball and then they saw an opportunity, a two on one, (Lukhanyo) Am puts him away.

“Then I think it was in the 75th minute, du Toit’s try. That was just kind of a statement for me, they just beat them into submission. They just went around the corner, in the 22 area, big men, going in low, going around the corner and du Toit just pops it over, just like that.”

In Hall’s defence, he was not alone in predicting a closer contest and he followed up by adding how his familiarity with the South African game has been diminished since their exit from Super Rugby.

“We don’t see the South Africans that much, and for me that was just a reminder, rightio, this is what it’s all about. I think the All Blacks are under no illusions, I think the intensity is going to be right up there.”

The Springboks have since named a gigantic team to face the All Blacks in Auckland in round two of The Rugby Championship, including ten of the players who were sent to New Zealand ahead of time.